Should I Be Worried About Snoring?
March 7, 2018
Snoring happens whenever your airway is at least partially blocked. Almost everyone is likely to snore at one time or another. Simple, occasional snoring can be caused by allergies, a cold, or other sinus problems. Snoring on occasion may be annoying to your loved ones, but it is usually nothing more than a minor inconvenience. However, there are times when habitual snoring can be a sign of a sleep disorder known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). While simple snoring is more of social problem than a medical problem, snoring caused by sleep apnea can be problematic for your health.
Assessing Your Sleep
Sleep apnea is more likely to keep your partner awake than it is to wake you up from sleep. If it happens while you are sleeping, it can be hard to identify, right? If your partner, friends, or family have noticed that you sleep with snoring marked by gasps for air, it could be a sign of OSA. If you are getting what you think is eight full hours of sleep but you still feel sleepy, it could be a sign of OSA. Obstructive sleep apnea can interrupt your restful sleep cycle while you stay sleeping, which means that you may not remember anything but still feel the effects. If you believe that you suffer from sleep apnea, you can undergo a sleep assessment. There is a form of a sleep assessment that can be done in the comfort of your own home. A home sleep study can help you determine if your life and health is affected by obstructive sleep apnea.
Risks of Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the soft tissues of your mouth collapse to block your airways. These nightly obstructions can affect your health in several ways. If your body is repeatedly deprived of oxygen, your blood pressure may raise to accommodate the new regular levels of oxygen. Higher blood pressure can increase your risk of stroke, heart disease, etc. Because OSA can prevent you from getting proper rest, it can cause you to be drowsy, gain weight, and other ill-effects of not getting proper sleep.
If Your Snoring Is Caused by Sleep Apnea, You Can Treat It
Snoring can sometimes be caused by obstructive sleep apnea. To learn more, schedule a consultation with our experts by calling Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry of Kansas City, MO, today at 816-427-4018.